Relay For Life: Hope has no curfew

by jmaloni

Fri, Aug 2nd 2013 10:00 pm

by
Mark Dryfhout

Cancer
does not rest, and this year's Relay For Life won't either!
Returning this year, with intent to surpass the ample success of last
year's event, the Relay For Life festival of Lewiston/Niagara will
take place at a new location, Reservoir State Park, on Saturday and
Sunday, Aug. 3-4, from 1 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Admission
to the event itself is absolutely free of charge, and visitors are
invited to come and go as they please.

Tami
Gabri, American Cancer Society staff partner, explains the reasoning
behind the relocation of this year's Relay, "We really want to
expand this Relay ... we really want to reach out to Wheatfield,
Sanborn and Niagara."

Also
a factor in the decision, last year's Relay struggled to work
around other major Lew-Port events, which took its toll on the Relay
staff, Gabri said. Regardless, she remains sure the new location is
ideal for this year's fundraiser.

"It's
centrally located; there is security there; and we can camp
overnight," she said. "We felt the new location would be best for
everyone."

Regardless
of location, this year's Relay will still include the signature
events that identify Relay For Life as a nationwide fundraiser. These
events include a survivor luncheon, the caregiver ceremony, victory
lap, open walks, luminaria ceremony and a "Fight Back" ceremony.
Alternatively, guests can enjoy the contests, activities,
concessions, attractions, music and auctions the event has to offer.
Musical performances for this year's Relay are provided by Average
at Best, High Horse and Fourth Wall.

Relay
For Life is a nationwide fundraising event for the American Cancer
Society that raises money to help fight the battle against cancer by
donating funds to cancer treatment and research centers.

"Relay
For Life celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost, and
allows everyone a chance to fight back against cancer," one
description reads.

Independent
teams, whose members raise money prior to the Relay in their
communities, gather the bulk of money raised for the event. Every
year, Relay For Life raises more than $400 million across the
country, and has raised more than $4 billion since its creation in
1985.There are currently 5,100 events nationwide, hosted in more than
20 countries worldwide, and is the largest fundraising event in the
world.

Organizers
of the Lewiston/Niagara Relay For Life hope to make their
contribution by attempting to raise the standard to $86,000 for the
ACS.

Regardless
of turnout, Relay Chairwoman Christina Harris, said she is
optimistic. "We have a lot to be thankful for. ... Our goal was
$79,000 last year, and we raised $83,728."

The
Lewiston/Niagara teams are already hard at work attempting to surpass
a new goal. Currently, 11 teams and 52 participants have reported a
total collection of $17,885. Keep in mind, the estimate does not
reflect the final outcome, and many donations have yet to be
accounted for.

"Thank
you to all of our hardworking fundraisers," Harris said.

For
more information about how to register a team, become involved, or
how to attend this year's Relay, visit the Relay For Life website, www.RelayForLife.org/LewistonNY.
If you have any questions you can't seem to find an answer to,
direct your inquiry to the [email protected].
If you or anybody you know feels inspired to donate, you can send
your monetary gifts by mail to American Cancer Society, Attn: RFL of
Lewiston, 101 John James Audubon Pkwy, Amherst, NY, 14228.

Please
keep in mind that the Relay For Life festival is a family event, so
alcohol, tobacco and other adult substances are strictly prohibited.

Come
prepared to fight whatever the weather may have in store for the
event, because the festival will proceed rain or shine. Be sure to
tell friends and family about this wonderful opportunity to fight
back against cancer in a constructive way!